It’s been two years since Walter Salles’ Oscar-winning I’m Still Here hit Rio de Janeiro in theaters around the world, and momentum continues to grow thanks to a concerted effort by Riofilm. Rio de Janeiro’s Cinema and Audiovisual Agency has stepped up investment in the city’s audiovisual industry, supporting projects that have now made the city famous around the world.
And the agency is reaping what they sow, with RioFilme sponsoring three films scheduled to be screened at this year’s high-profile Shanghai Film Festival. “The Fabulous Time Machine” by Elisa Capai, a Focus Brazil selection distributed as part of the 2026 China-Brazil Year of Culture, and “Heart of Darkness” by Rogelio Nunez, played as part of the animation section. See below for title details.
Speaking to Variety ahead of the world premiere of Luisa’s Desert, Minas said he was excited to begin the film’s journey at a “very important” festival. “Despite the geographical distance and cultural differences, I believe that the theme of this film will reduce this distance,” he added, emphasizing the universality of family.
“The whole film was conceived within the Brazilian context, more specifically Rio de Janeiro,” continues the director. “But nevertheless, this film stands in dialogue with people all over the world because of its references to mental health and care. This film opens up the possibility of discussing mental health beyond diagnosis and how it affects those around us.”
Capai, who began his film journey at the Berlin Film Festival earlier this year, speaks fondly of his excitement about running the festival and the selections in Shanghai. “China is cited twice in this film, so we are excited to be a part of the festival and it is a great honor and pride for us to be selected.”
Like “The Desert,” “The Wonderful Time Machine” deals with a very specific social and cultural context, but Capai says the film also has great universality because it examines issues through the lens of childhood. “After screenings, I often heard stories about how this film took someone back to their childhood. This film is about fear, the transition from childhood to adolescence, becoming a woman…It creates an instant connection in the audience.”
“Great time machine”
Amazing time machine (split screen provided)
Daniela Vitorino, who produced “Luiza’s Desert” through Caraminhola Filmes, said RioFilme had an “essential influence” on the film. “They are co-producers of this film and are also supporting us in distribution,” she added. “Collaboration between regional and federal agencies is very important. This strengthens not only the reach but also the production of these films. The visibility is much higher. RioFilme has been a great partner for Karaminhora Films for many years. They maintain a regular funding calendar and manage to increase their resources each year, which increases the chances of the films being produced and finding an audience.”
Minas echoed the producer’s sentiments, saying that without RioFilme’s support, Luisa’s Desert “would never have been made.” “I think the presence of public institutions not only makes it possible to produce films, but also allows for direct dialogue with society.”
Mariana Geneska, who produced “Fabulous Time Machine” under the Amana Cine production company, also uses the word “essential” when referring to RioFilme’s support. According to the producers, thanks to their support, the film was able to tour not only in Shanghai, but also around the world through major festivals such as Berlin, Thessaloniki, Cartagena and Guadalajara.
“More broadly, I believe that institutions like Riofilm play a strategic role in the development of Brazil’s audiovisual industry, especially when it comes to independent film production and documentaries,” added Genesca. “These institutions often launch viable projects with great artistic relevance and social impact, despite the difficulty of obtaining funding from regular markets.”
Geneska cited Riofilm as a “key example” of an institution that enables “the strengthening of a sustainable audiovisual industry” through “a continuous and predictable chain of investments that takes into account development, production and distribution.” “We recently produced an Emmy-nominated documentary series, which we received support from RioFilme during the development stage,” she added. “This shows how consistent, long-term investment can create real impact and increase the profile of audiovisual works produced in Rio de Janeiro.
When asked about their take on Brazilian cinema and the current climate of the Brazilian film industry, Minas and Capai are both positive in their analysis. Minas says the success of Salles’ I’m Still Here and Kleber Mendonça Filho’s The Secret Agent has made audiences “more receptive to Portuguese-speaking films, which used to be problematic. There was a certain amount of resistance.”
Capai poignantly labels cinema as “creators of national images,” in the sense that films stimulate international audiences’ curiosity about countries that are unfamiliar or have had some kind of fixed image. Recalling her experience screening the film in Berlin, the director said that children came up to her and said they wanted to go to Brazil after seeing the film on screen. “I am so honored to be a part of this moment in our film history, where we are projecting ourselves internationally while building self-respect within our own homes.”
Read below to learn more about the films supported by RioFilme at this year’s Shanghai Film Festival.
Director of “Luisa’s Desert”. Alan Minas
A co-production between Brazil (Calaminhora Films) and the UK (Union Content), Alain Minas’ film follows what happens to the titular 15-year-old boy. Luisa, who lives in Rio de Janeiro, dreams of becoming an artist and eventually befriends a local graffiti group. When her life began, her mother was suffering from an acute schizophrenic episode. With her father becoming increasingly estranged and her sister moving in with her aunt, the responsibility of keeping the family together falls on Luisa’s shoulders. Sales are handled by Begin Again Films.
Director of “Fabulous Time Machine”. Eliza Capai
Capai’s documentary follows a group of girls living in the arid Brazilian town of Guaribas, once known as Brazil’s Hunger Capital, but which has undergone drastic changes thanks to the public policies enacted by President Lula. Capai’s tender film follows a generation of girls who are allowed to dream and think about the future beyond the limitations experienced by their mothers. SplitScreen handles sales. Produced by Amanacine.
Director of “Heart of Darkness.” Rogelio Nunez
Based on Joseph Conrad’s 1899 classic novel of the same name, Nunez’s fast-paced thriller is set in a near-future Rio de Janeiro torn apart by civil war and civil unrest. There, Marlon must cross the turbulent and polluted waters of Guanabara Bay in search of a former commander turned leader of a Savior cult to stop the spread of the paramilitary group. Inspired by the mythology and religion of Umbanda and packed with rich cultural references, Heart of Darkness is a striking representative of the Brazilian genre. Produced by Special Touch Studios and Karmatique Imagens
